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Development of Tamil language by bringing all Tamil books Tamil research submissions to the library of world Tamil sangam madurai. THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE J. SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD Writ Petition (MD) No. 17717 of 2017

by Sekar Reporter · December 20, 2022

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT

Reserved On : 29.11.2022

Delivered On : 20.12.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R. MAHADEVAN and

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE J. SATHYA NARAYANA PRASAD

Writ Petition (MD) No. 17717 of 2017

—

Stalin .. Petitioner

Versus

The Chief Secretary

State of Tamil Nadu

Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai – 600 009

The Principal Secretary

Tamil Development and Archaeology Department

Secretariat, Fort St. George

Chennai – 600 009

The Director

Tamil Development

Tamil Valarchi Valagam

1st Floor, Halls Road

Egmore, Chennai – 600 008

The District Collector

Madurai District Madurai

The Special Officer

World Tamil Sangam

Anna Nagar, Madurai – 20

The Chairman

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Mahanagar Doordarshan Bhawan

Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (Old Minto Road)

New Delhi – 110 002

The Managing Director

Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable Television Corporation

Dugar Towers

No.34 (123), 6th Floor

Marshalls Road, Egmore Chennai – 600 008

The Managing Director

Sun TV Networks Limited

Murasoli Maran Towers

73, MRC Nagar Main Road

MRC Nagar, Chennai – 600 028

The Managing Director

Jaya TV Networks

No.48, N.P. Jawaharlal Nehru Road

Ekkatuthangal, Chennai – 600 032

10.The Managing Director

Kalaignar TV Networks

367/369, Anna Salai

Subbarayan Nagar, Teynampet Chennai

11.The Managing Director

Raj Television Network Limited

Subbarayan Nagar, Teynampet Chennai

12.The Managing Director Captain TV Networks

No.2a/2, Mettukuppam Road Vanagaram, Chennai

13.The Managing Director

Puthiyathalaimurai TV Networks

25A, Ikkattutankal NP Industrial Area

Chennai

14.The Managing Director

Imayam TV

No.22, near Lakshman Shruthi Musicals

1st Cross Street, 2nd Avenue

Ashok Nagar, Chennai – 600 083

15.The Managing Director Makkal TV

No.12/16, Subbarao Avenue Nungambakkam near Sastri Bhavan 1st Street, College Road

Greams Road, Chennai – 600 006

16.The Managing Director Polimer Media Pvt Ltd No.30, Balaji Nagar near Elhrich Lab 1st Street, Royapettah Chennai – 600 014

17.The Managing Director

Vijay TV Networks

No.15, Opp. to Ganpath Hotel

Jaganathan Road, Nungambakkam Chennai – 600 034

18.The Managing Director Vasanth TV

No.27/37, Kaveri Nagar

Railway Border 1st Street

Saidapet, Chennai – 600 015

19.The Managing Director

Mega TV Networks

No.24, Kasthurbai Nagar, 6th Main Road

Adyar, Chennai – 600 020

20.The Managing Director

Tamilan TV

No.3, Avaai Thiru Nagar 5th Street

Virugambakkam, Chennai – 600 052

21.The Managing Director

Win TV

No.24, South Mada Street Mylapore, Chennai

22.The Managing Director Velicham TV

VCK Media Center

Sector 10, Ashok Nagar

Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Chennai

23.The Managing Director

Mathimugam TV

Real Tower

No.54-57, Royapettah High Road

Rangaiah Garden, Mylapore Chennai

24.The Managing Director

News 7 TV Channel

No.110E, Kodambakkam High Road Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034

25.The Managing Director News 18 TV

Beacon Beru 5th & 6th Floor

Valluvar Kottam High Road

Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034

26.The Managing Director

Lotus News TV

Seventh Vision India Private Limited

No.658-664, Rajalakshmi Plaza

Rajunaidu Layout, 1st Street

100 feet Road, Gandhipuram Coimbatore -12

27.The Managing Director

Colors Tamil TV

No.136, Shyamala Towers, 5th Floor

Abbusali Street, Saligramam Chennai – 600 093

28.The Managing Director Zee Tamil Networks

No.33-B, Olympia Platina

Guindy, Chennai – 600 032

29.The Managing Director

MKTV

No.1-B/108, 1st Main Road

Ekkaduthangal, Chennai – 600 032

30.The Managing Director

Peppers Media Pvt Ltd.,

No.5, Nandanam Extension Nandanam, Chennai

31.The Managing Director

Thanthi TV

No.143, 1C, 1st Floor

RMZ Millenia

Dr. M.G.R. Road, Kandanchavadi Perungudi, Chennai

32.The Managing Director Sathyam Television

No.1, Kamaraj Park Street

Kalmandapam, Royapuram Chennai

33.The Managing Director Vaanavil Television

No.5, 200 Feet Road, Block Z

Anna Nagar, Old Thirumangalam Anna Nagar, Chennai

34.The Managing Director Malaimurasu TV

No.244, Carex Building

Anna Salai, Thousand Lights

Chennai – 6

(Respondents 6 to 34 were impleaded as per

order dated 13.03.2019 made in

WMP No. 4715 of 2019) .. Respondents

Petition filed under Article 226 of The Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take effective measures in so far as the development of Tamil language by bringing all Tamil Books, Tamil research submissions, all other language books having nexus with Tamil language to the library of World Tamil Sangam, Madurai and create necessary infrastructure in the World Tamil Sangam, Madurai based on the petitioner’s representation dated 31.08.2017 within a stipulated period as prescribed by this Court.

For Petitioner

Mr. S.M. Anantha Murugan

For Respondents

Mr. P. Thillai Kumar

Government Pleader for RR1 to 5

Mr. S. Jeyasingh for R6

Mr. K. Anbarasan for R9

Mr. S. Mahalingam for R13

Mr. Subash Babu for R15

Mr. R. Gandhi for R16

Mr. T. Thirupathy for R19

Mr. N.G.A. Nataraj for R24

Mr. M. Saravanan for R25

Mr. P. Sadiq Raja for R28

Mr. Perumbulavil Radhakrishnan for R31

Mr. C.T. Perumal for R32

Mr. K. Sivasubramaniam for R33

Mr. K. Mohana Murali for R34

No appearance for RR7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17,

18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 39 and 30

ORDER

R. MAHADEVAN, J

This writ petition is filed as a Public Interest Litigation by the petitioner with a prayer to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take effective measures in so far as the development of Tamil language by bringing all Tamil Books, Tamil research papers, all other language books having nexus with Tamil language to the library of World Tamil Sangam, Madurai and create necessary infrastructure in the World Tamil Sangam, Madurai based on the petitioner’s representation dated 31.08.2017 within a stipulated period as prescribed by this Court.

The petitioner submits that he is a practicing advocate and his mother tongue is Tamil, which is an ancient language in the World. However, he would submit that it is a sordid state of affair that no one knows about the origin of the Tamil language and the researchers and scholars are not able to assure the age of Tamil language. In the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, the petitioner traced the history of origin of the language and the contributions made by great scholars like Thiruvalluvar, Ilangovadigal,

Manickavasagar, Bharathiyar, Bharathidasan etc., He has also stated that

Madurai District in Tamil Nadu has played a major role in the development of Tamil Language and it has got many credits to it. Recognising the need to propagate the classical language to the World, the Government of Tamil Nadu convened the 5th World Tamil Conference at Madurai in January 1981 during which it was announced by the Government that a World Tamil Sangam will be established at Madurai. Accordingly, on 14.04.1986, the Government allotted 16.15 acres of land for construction of the Sangam and earmarked a sum of Rs.25 Crores for constructing the building. The building was completed during the year 2016 and the World Tamil Sangam was inaugurated on 01.03.2016. The Government also announced that one copy of all the books submitted to the public libraries should be sent to Madurai World Tamil Sangam.

The grievance of the petitioner is that the World Tamil Sangam was inaugurated with the avowed object of integrating World Tamil Organisations abroad, to send scholars and artists to Foreign Countries for explaining the literary content and elegance of the language and also to invite Tamil Scholars from other countries to contribute to the development of the language. However, such objectives with which the World Tamil Sangam was inaugurated has not been achieved and the objectives remain only in paper.

The petitioner also brought to the notice of this Court that merely by inaugurating the Madurai Tamil Sangam, the Government or the

instrumentalities did nothing for developing the language through the Sangam. There was no activity taking place in the World Tamil Sangam, Madurai and there are no sufficient books made available in the library housed within the Tamil Sangam Building. In effect, it is the grievance of the petitioner that earnest attention has not been paid to conduct periodical programmes aimed at developing the Tamil language, literary awareness of the language etc., and the World Tamil Sangam has not achieved it’s objectives with which it was aimed at. Therefore, the petitioner has come forward with this Public Interest Litigation to issue appropriate direction to the respondents herein to take effective measures as are necessary for development of Tamil language.

On notice, the fifth respondent – Special Officer of World Tamil

Sangam has filed a counter affidavit contending that the Madurai Tamil Sangam is celebrating various events and has been spreading the awareness among the masses with respect to the beauty and elegance of the Tamil language. It is stated that every year scholars and eminent Tamil personalities are felicitated and celebrated by the Government in the presence of Honourable Chief Minister. Further, an award of Rs.1 lakh and 1 sovereign of gold is being offered in the name of the scholar from the year 2012 particularly to encourage Tamil Scholars and to ensure that there is development of the language. The World Tamil Sangam building was inaugurated on 01.03.2016 consisting of ground and first floor. The Government also issued G.O. Ms. No.161, School Education Department dated 21.08.2013 based on which books submitted to the public libraries are being sent to the World Tamil Sangam, with the result, every year, the collection of books are increasing in volumes and they are used by ardent Tamil readers and scholars. Totally, there are fifteen thousand and above books are available in Madurai Tamil Sangam on varied topics. The Sangam is also periodically conducting International and National Seminars, Special Lectures, Workshops and other programmes in the Sangam. Further, during the demand for the Education Department for the year 2017-2018, on the floor of Assembly, the Government sanctioned a sum of Rs.6 crores for establishment of a state-of-the art library with huge collection of books, modern amenities such as reading table, chairs, furniture etc., In the counter affidavit, the fifth respondent also listed out the various programmes so far conducted and the programmes that are on the pipeline to contend that the State is sufficiently providing funds and all efforts are being made for development of the Tamil Language to the masses. The fifth respondent therefore submitted that there is no merits in the statement made by the petitioner and the writ petition deserves to be dismissed.

The 32nd respondent – Sathiyam Media Vision Private Limited has filed a counter affidavit stating that Sathiyam TV is a full time news channel. It is stated that though the motive with which the petitioner has filed this writ petition is laudable, the impleadment of 32nd respondent, a news channel has nothing to do with the prayer sought for in the writ petition. It was also stated that the 32nd respondent is telecasting various events in an effort to promote Tamil Language, its uniqueness and glory to the viewers and they are also ready and willing to cooperate with the respondents to contribute in whatever ways to achieve the object with which Madurai Tamil Sangam was established. Accordingly, the 32rd respondent prayed for passing appropriate orders in the writ petition filed by the petitioner.
The said submissions are adopted by almost all the other

respondents-private channels in this case.

The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that even though the fifth respondent has, in the counter affidavit, listed the programmes conducted in the Madurai Tamil Sangam periodically, the representation dated 04.09.2017 has not replied, which prompted the petitioner to file the present writ petition. In any event, the intention of the petitioner is to ensure that the respondents 1 to 5 pays earnest attention continuously to usher in the development of the Tamil Language through the iconic Madurai Tamil Sangam and to achieve its objectives.
The learned Additional Government Pleader reiterated the

averments in the counter affidavit filed by the fifth respondent and submitted that the objects with which Madurai Tamil Sangam has been established is slowly and steadily being achieved. The respondents 1 to 5 have not left any stone unturned in discharging their responsibilities aimed at developing the classical language and to make it a numero uno language. By stressing that steps are being taken in the right direction by the official respondents, the learned Additional Government Pleader invited the attention of this Court to the typed set of papers dated 20.09.2022 and submitted that the photographs produced would show that the library is brimming with students and book readers at all given time and utilise the books and periodicals in the library. It is also stated that periodical programmes, workshops, literary awareness, competition etc., are being conducted in Madurai Tamil Sangam in a phased manner. The learned Additional Government Pleader has also brought to the notice of this Court a statement dated 19.09.2022 indicating the total funds sanctioned and disbursed by the Government in a phased manner for

strengthening the infrastructural amenities and the funds are being utilised for payment of salary to staff, building maintenance, car maintenance, contingency staff salary, telephone amenities, stationary and travelling allowance. It is further stated that the fifth respondent, who is the Special Officer of the World Tamil Sangam is coordinating with various departments of the Government and the Sangam is convening periodical programmes aimed at developing the classical language. Thus, the learned Additional Government Pleader submits that no further direction is required to be issued at the instance of the petitioner by way of public interest litigation and prayed for dismissal of writ petition.

We have heard the counsel on either side and the submissions made thereof. We have also perused the materials placed on record.
The grievance of the petitioner is that upon establishing World Tamil Sangam in Madurai, there was no activity is being taken place to propagate the beauty and elegance of Tamil Language. It is also his grievance that most of the books are not available in Tamil Sangam and that the funds allotted for such purpose by the Government has not been utilised for purchase of books, rather, they were utilised for meeting out the salary of the staff and for sundry expenses.
Even though the petitioner has made such an allegation, we are of the view that the averments made by him are only generic and non specific. For a positive direction, the petitioner has to come out with proper materials to

show that the objects with which the World Tamil Sangam has been established have not been achieved. On the other hand, the fifth respondent Special Officer of World Tamil Sangam has filed a counter affidavit in which he has spelt out the various activities of the World Tamil Sangam. He has also highlighted the several events conducted by the Tamil Sangam in which cash price and gold jewels are offered to encourage young Tamil scholars. That apart, reference was made in the counter affidavit to the conduct of International and National Seminars, Special Lectures, Workshops and other programmes conducted periodically. The fifth respondent also submitted that the Government passed an order in G.O. Ms. No.161, School Education Department dated 21.08.2013 directing that the books submitted to public libraries have to be sent to the World Tamil Sangam which resulted in the increase in the books and periodicals received by the World Tamil Sangam. The counter affidavit also states that presently, thousands of books and periodicals are made available in Madurai Tamil Sangam on variety of topics. Thus, this Court is of the view that the Government is taking all efforts to develop Tamil language in all forms and manifestations and the World Tamil Sangam is marching to fulfil the objects with which it was established.

In the light of the above, with a direction to the respondents to take further more earnest efforts to develop Tamil Language by allocation of more funds, conducting various programmes to familiarise Sangam Tamil literature and modern Tamil literature, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

(R.M.D., J) (J.S.N.P. J)

20.12.2022 rsh

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The Chief Secretary